The Communiqué of the APCC-SPC Roundtable Meeting on Coconut Among the Pacific Countries

The APCC-SPC Roundtable Meeting on the State of the Art of Coconut Processing and Market Prospects of Coconut Products in the Pacific Countries which was held in Nadi, Fiji on 17-18 June 2009 has issued a Communiqué highlighting the importance of the coconut sector’s contribution to sustainable and healthy rural livelihoods throughout the Pacific countries and thus, provide the engine for growth in the Pacific Islands’ economies.

The Communiqué reinforced the statement the APCC Executive Director in the June 2009 issue of this Newsletter that in view of the fact that coconuts are by far the most important agricultural crop, especially in the Pacific Islands, and represent a vital element for food security, nutrition and economic well-being of millions of small farmholders and their families, the Coconut Sector must be included in the National Priority Agenda.

As such, the coconut sector deserves and warrants greater investments by national governments, private sector and international donor agencies.

Inclusive development strategies require that the poor coconut smallholders and their families must be given preferential attention in development assistance and national investments. They must be assisted to enable them to adopt the best practices in coconut-based diversified farming and product value addition as well as in marketing.

Thus, the Communiqué has spelled out some of the Research and Development projects and activities that may be pursued, both at the national and regional levels to further develop the potential of the coconut industry in the Pacific Islands.

Coconut replanting with appropriate genetic materials including selected local tall varieties and proper utilization/commercialization of coconut wood and cocowood products were identified as some of the priority projects.

An adaptive research and development program is needed to support the development of emerging high value coconut products and their niche markets. These products include virgin coconut oil, tender coconut water, coconut flour, coconut sugar, coconut milk, coco vinegar, charcoal and other products from coco shell, biochar, coconut timber and cocowood products, and others.

It was also proposed that different models or product mix with the appropriate technologies and the scale of operation of integrated commercially-operated coconut processing centers be established through public-private sector partnership in strategic locations among several countries in the Pacific to showcase technically feasible and economically viable coconut-based processing ventures.

The replication of successful coconut business models shall then be disseminated and undertaken through partnerships between communities/women’s groups, NGO’s and the private sector.

With the support of the national governments, the private sector, NGO’s and international organizations, and the active participation of producers’ associations and women’s groups, there is much hope that the coconut sector will be truly revitalized as it should be.